Chapter Three

The werewolf tried what was probably a grin, but there were a lot of teeth involved, so it wasn’t particularly reassuring. Scarecrow waved. Skeleton gave a slight bow.
The edges of my vision started turning black, and I tried not to scream again, clenching my teeth together, and kept it to a low squeeking noise that I thought maybe they wouldn’t notice.
Werewolf noticed, and nudged the scarecrow.
“Say. Something.” He growled through gritted teeth. “Or I’m going to have to chase this one when he runs, and that’ll put us even further behind; So. Say. Something.”
The scarecrow stepped forward on impossibly thin legs, raising hands with too many fingers in a gesture that was most likely intended to be reassuring.
“You’re in no danger here.” He started. “I know you’re scared and confused, but despite how things probably look, you’re safe here in the boneyard.”
He gestured out.
“It’s total chaos at the moment, I grant you, but I’m hoping that you can help us with that. Take a look around.”
I took a hesitant step out of the casket or coffin, then turned to follow where he was pointing, but the blackness expanded. Suddenly the scarecrow was right behind me, grabbing my arms as I fell.
“Woah! OK, I’ve got you. Just shut your eyes for a bit, maybe?” The scarecrow suggested as he started to gently steer me away from the casket. “We’ll try this in stages, OK?”
I let myself be steered & sat on what felt like a log, with something warm & crackling & smokey somewhere in front of me.
“Try opening your eyes again.” Said deep & slow & grey, presumably the skeleton. “Just … Describe what you’re seeing. It’ll help.”
I hesitantly opened my eyes.
“There’s a campfire, with logs around it, like a campsite from a movie.” I started. “I’m sitting on one log, there’s a skeleton in a grey robe on one of the other logs, and a werewolf on the other wearing … Are those Hawaiian print cargo shorts?”
The werewolf nodded and grinned, then gestured at me to continue.
“There’s a scarecrow sitting beside me with a Jack-o’-lantern for a head with what looks like actual flames in it, whose legs are so long that his knees are above his head, and …” I shot a look at the skeleton. “Are you toasting a fucking marshmallow?!”
“Oooo, good idea!” Exclaimed the werewolf, rummaging elbow-deep in a pocket. “I’ve got some chocolate and crackers here somewhere.”